by Influential People Magazine
OUR INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH GALVAN, AN INSPIRATIONAL DEAF ONE-ARMED WOMAN OF STEEL!
ELIZABETH GALVAN BODYBUILDER, MODEL
Everyone has a time in their life where they set their sights on a goal that they want to achieve. How would you feel if you were told you couldn’t do it because you were different? Would you believe them? Would you give up? Elizabeth Galvan was confronted with doubters her whole life. Galvan lost her right arm at age 3 in an accident with an old-fashioned washing machine. The same year, she developed a bilateral hearing loss as a result of an illness and was fitted with hearing aids.
In high school, Elizabeth wanted to be a lifeguard. She was told no because she needed to have two arms to swim someone to safety. Elizabeth refused to take no for an answer and became a lifeguard. She entered pageants and modeled as well, even won Best Photogenic, Teen Spirit, Best Talent trophies, crowned Miss North Dakota. Elizabeth has also won a few awards for runway modeling, best fashion, and won first runner-up in St. Louis’ National beauty pageant then she went on to win second, third place and the inspiration trophy from the NPC Upper Midwest and third, fourth place trophies from State of Minnesota Sports Expo, for bodybuilding, she will keep on going..
Elizabeth Galvan refuses to let her disabilities slow her down. She is a one-armed deaf bodybuilder with Usher syndrome from Fargo, North Dakota. She has been through many challenges from the start. Where others saw limitations, she saw an opportunity to achieve greatness and inspire others who are different. Which makes her very influential person to know.
IPM: Tell us how you lost your arm and hearing at age 3.
Elizabeth: My parents had divorced, and I was with my mother the day it happened. My mom wasn’t watching me at the time, and I somehow got my arm caught between the wringers of the washing machine. It was my mom’s boyfriend who found me. Because I had been there so long, circulation was cut off to my lower arm. Doctors tried to save the arm but later had to amputate it in order to save my life. Because of the neglect, likely due to mental illness, my mother lost custody and my father received full custody. My aunt took on the role of my mother.
IPM: At age 16, you found out you had Usher syndrome. How did you adapt?
Elizabeth: It has been slow progress of the vision decreasing on the sides and top and bottom. Many times, I’ve missed stuff, like bumping into people I didn’t see. I have been adjusting my lifestyle, so I am often in daylight or am guided by someone at night. At my home, I make sure there is nothing on the floor in order to avoid tripping and harming myself.
IPM: How did you become a Lifeguard when you were told no?
Elizabeth: At first, I was rejected. The school board felt I wasn’t the best choice, because how can I save people in the water, especially someone heavier or two people at the same time? They felt it was risky. I was determined, and with the help of an interpreter, I was able to voice my opinions and ask them to give me the chance to take all the tests that are required to be a certified lifeguard. They agreed, and I passed all the tests—in the water, on the floor, CPR, first aid, and written tests. I proved them wrong and worked as a certified lifeguard for four years.
IPM: How did you get into doing pageants? How many have you won?
Elizabeth: I was encouraged by my stepmom who I considered as my mom…she thought that would be a great opportunity because she saw the wonderful in me to show everyone. So, I agreed to try it out for the teen pageant.
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE MAGAZINE 23
Then again in my adulthood, a friend thought I should run the pageant again. I was uncertain at first because I am a mother…She mentioned that there are mothers and daughters in its pageant. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity for myself and my daughter to run together.
So, it had only been 2 pageants and won both. Great experience and very rewarding.
IPM: Can you tell us, what made you decided to start body building?
Elizabeth: After my recovery of major back surgery…. did my research and discovered that bodybuilding does improve and help with the health, stronger physically and mentally. So, I decided to start bodybuilding after my recovery and the excessive weight gain. It was try again, again the best decision made as ever. Bodybuilding helped a lot especially felt much stronger physically than I was before. Bodybuilding became a passion for me. until you succeed it.”
IPM: What awards did you win in bodybuilding?
Elizabeth: In the 1st competition – 2nd place, 3rd place, and inspiration award, 2nd competition-3rd place, and 4th place. Oct 24, 2021, NPC Upper Midwest competition Master figure 35+ 3rd, Novice Figure 40+ 5th, Masters Figure 40+3rd., Open Figure b 4th
IPM: What’s the driving force in your life? Why do you set out to do things that you know will be difficult?
Elizabeth: I am high driven that loved challenges, to prove myself and anyone’s doubts. When I am being told with no…it challenge me to be determined to show that I can. So, with any doubts or no or I can’t give me the challenge to prove ourselves wrong. Challenging is something I love.
IPM: What do you want to be remembered for?
Elizabeth: What I wanted to be remembered is of who I am as deaf, one arm lady with Usher Syndrome that fought all obstacles in life challenges…that want to be known to show everyone and especially the children that they can achieve anything no matter if they doubted themselves. My favorite saying…If I can do it, you can do it too!
IPM: Any advice for people facing challenges similar to yours?
Elizabeth: Don’t give up!!!!! You will fail but it doesn’t mean it’s all over…. failure gives you the hunger to fight your doubts to try again, again until you succeed it. Keep going! Try again! You will see why it’s all worth the experience, failure, determination, and many more!
Deafwomanofsteel79
“Don’t give up!!!!! You will fail but it doesn’t mean it’s allover…. failure gives you the hunger to fight your doubts to
https://www.inforum.com/news/974699-Fargo-woman-who-is-deaf-missing-arm-sees-no-obstacles-only-opportunities-in-bodybuilding 26 INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE MAGAZINE
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